Top loading cartridge

ABSTRACT

A top loading cartridge is provided herein. The top loading cartridge includes a support member, a rail member, and a lock mechanism. The support member to receive an electronic module. The rail member attached to the support member to engage with a tray that receives the top loading server cartridge. The lock mechanism to lock the top loading cartridge.

BACKGROUND

A data center rack contains electronic components. A chassis fits intothe data center rack. The chassis includes a tray to receive electroniccomponents for processing, storage, memory, networking, and cooling. Theelectronic components may be arranged in a variety of ways depending onthe type of electronic component, purpose of the electronic component,and computing needs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting examples of the present disclosure are described in thefollowing description, read with reference to the figures attachedhereto and do not limit the scope of the claims. In the figures,identical and similar structures, elements or parts thereof that appearin more than one figure are generally labeled with the same or similarreferences in the figures in which they appear. Dimensions of componentsand features illustrated in the figures are chosen primarily forconvenience and clarity of presentation and are not necessarily toscale. Referring to the attached figures:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a top loading cartridge accordingto an example;

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate perspective views of the top loading cartridge ofFIG. 1 according to examples;

FIGS. 2C-2D illustrate enlarged views of a portion of the lock mechanismof FIGS. 2A-2B according to examples;

FIGS. 3A-3F illustrate perspective views of the top loading servercartridges of FIG. 1 according to examples;

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate perspective views of the top loading fancartridge of FIG. 1 according to examples;

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate perspective views of the top loading networkswitch cartridge of FIG. 1 according to examples;

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of a system for modular computingaccording to an example;

FIGS. 7-8 illustrate examples of the system of FIG. 6 according toexamples; and

FIGS. 9-10 illustrate flow charts of methods for modular computing usinga top loading cartridge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is depictedby way of illustration specific examples in which the present disclosuremay be practiced. It is to be understood that other examples may beutilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departingfrom the scope of the present disclosure.

Data center racks are designed to provide a variety of computingsolutions. The design of the data center rack must balance conflictsbetween power density, spatial layout, temperature requirements,acoustic noise, and other factors. The type of electronic componentsinstalled in the data center rack depends on the computing solution andthe power and cooling requirements. The electronic components aremounted or loaded on a tray in a chassis. The chassis is housed in thedata center rack. For example, the electronic components may beelectronic modules that are loaded into the front or the side of thechassis. Each chassis may contain a plurality of modules, eachcontaining one or a combination of hard drives, processors, heat sinks,fans, network switches in a single tray. When service is needed, all themodules in the chassis are shut down to access the desired modules.

In examples, a top loading cartridge is provided. The top loadingcartridge includes a support member, a rail member, and a lockmechanism. The support member to receive an electronic module. The railmember attached to the support member to engage with a tray thatreceives the top loading server cartridge. The lock mechanism to lockthe top loading cartridge. The top loading cartridge provides theability increase the density of a chassis and the flexibility to serviceeach top loading cartridge individually without shutting down othercartridges or components on the chassis.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram a top loading cartridge 100 accordingto an example. The top loading cartridge 100 includes a support member120, a rail member 140, and a lock mechanism 160. The support member 120to receive an electronic module. For example, the electronic module mayinclude a server module, a fan module, and/or a network switch module.The server module includes, for example, a combination of at least oneof the following: a hard drive, a processor, a heat sink, and a memory.The fan module includes, for example, at least one fan. The networkswitch module includes, for example, at least one network switch, a heatsink, and a memory module.

The rail member 140 to attach to the support member 120 to engage with atray that receives the top loading cartridge 100. The lock mechanism 160to lock the top loading cartridge 100 in the tray. The lock mechanism160 includes a housing 162, a tray engagement member 164, a tab 165, alock engagement member 167, and a resilient member 169.

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate perspective views of the top loading cartridge100 of FIG. 1 according to an example. The top loading cartridge 100illustrated includes the support member 120, the rail member 140, andthe lock mechanism 160. Referring to FIG. 2A, the support member 120 asillustrated includes two side walls 222, a top wall 224, and a supportwall 226. The two side walls 222 are spaced apart 246 from one another.The top wall 224 traverses the two side walls 222. The support wall 226extends between the two side walls 222 to receive the electronic module.An outer surface 226A of the support wall 226 is illustrated in FIG. 2A.For example, the support wall 226 may be formed of a sheet metal.

FIG. 2B illustrates an inner surface 226B of the support wall 226 withan electronic module installed therein. For example, the electronicmodule may include a server module 230, a fan module, and/or a networkswitch module. FIG. 2B illustrates an example of the electronic moduleas a server module 230 that includes a hard drive 232, a heat sink 234,a memory module 236, and a battery 238. Additional components may beincluded.

The support member 120 further includes a lock receptacle 268 formed inthe top wall 224 to receive the lock engagement member 167. The lockreceptacle 268 includes a lock protrusion 267 extending therefrom toengage with the lock engagement member 167 and secure the housing 162 ina locked position P_(L), illustrated in FIG. 3A. Referring to FIG. 2B,the support member 120 may further include an electromagnetic interface(EMI) gasket 228 (or EMI shielding). An EMI gasket 228 is illustratedalong the top wall 224 of the support member 120.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2B, the rail member 140 includes a first railportion 242 and a second rail portion 244. The first rail portion 242and the second rail portion 244 are spaced apart 246 from one anothersuch that the first rail portion 242 mates with the support member 120and the second rail portion 244 engages with the tray 282. The railmember 140 may be formed of a plastic with apertures or voids therein toform the area that makes the first rail portion 242 and the second railportion 244 spaced apart 246 from one another. For example, the firstrail portion 242 may be formed of a planar member, and the second railportion 244 may be formed with an arc or convex surface extending fromthe side wall 222 or the first rail portion 242. The rail member 140 maybe attached to the support member 120 via a fastener 248, such as ascrew.

The rail member 140 engages with a guide rail 284 that lies along thetray 282, as illustrated in FIG. 2A. The tray 282 includes openings 283to receive the top loading cartridges 100 and guide rails 284 to alignthe top loading cartridges 100. The size of the opening 283 formed inthe tray 282 may vary depending on the size of the top loadingcartridges 100 intended to be loaded therein. For example, one cartridgeslot is used to refer to a standard length and width illustrated inFIGS. 2A-2B. Other sizes will be referred to based on the standardlength 1L and width 1W. The guide rail 284 may be formed of a sheetmetal that forms a track or rail that receives the rail member 140. Forexample, the rail member 140 slides into the guide rail 284 or viceversa. The rail member 140 and the guide rail 284 are formed to reducevibration and provide a tight fit between the top loading cartridge 100and the tray 282.

The lock mechanism 160 moves between a locked position P_(L) (furtherillustrated in FIGS. 3A-3F) and an unlocked position P_(U). The lockmechanism 160 includes the housing 162, the tray engagement member 164,a tab 165, a lock engagement member 167, and a resilient member 169. Thehousing 162 to hingedly attach to the support member 120. A trayengagement member 164 to extend from the housing 162 to engage with atray 282 attached to a chassis 280. For example, the tray engagementmember 164 includes a tray hook 166 that moves with the housing 162simultaneously or as a unitary member. The housing 162 and the trayengagement member 164 are formed to rotate about the hinge 262 where thehousing 162 attaches to the support member 120. The hinge 262 is formed,for example, by inserting a fastener 263 through a support aperture 265formed in the support member 120 and a housing aperture 266 formed inthe housing 162 to enable the housing 162 to pivot or rotate about thesupport member 120.

The tab 165 to connect to the housing 162. The tab 165 is moveablebetween a first position T₁ and a second position T₂. FIGS. 2C-2Dillustrate enlarged views of a portion of FIGS. 2A-2B according to anexample. For example, in FIGS. 2B, 2D, the tab 165 is in the firstposition T₁, positioned to be protracted or extend from the housing 162.FIGS. 2A and 2D, the tab 165 is in the second position T₂, positioned tobe retracted at least partially into the housing 162. The lockengagement member 167 to extend from the tab 165 to engage with thesupport member 120. The engagement with the support member 120 holds thelock mechanism 160 in place. The lock engagement member 167 to move withthe tab 165 as a unitary member or simultaneously. For example, the lockengagement member 167 includes a lock hook 168 that moves with the tab165 between the first position T₁ and the second position T₂.

The resilient member 169 to connect to the tab 165. The resilient member169 is spring loaded and formed to move between an equilibrium positionR_(E) and a displaced position R_(D). The resilient member 169 movesbased on a force F applied to the tab 165. For example, the tab 165remains in a first position T₁ when no force is applied to the tab 165.When the tab 165 is in the first position T₁, the resilient member 169is in an equilibrium position R_(E). When the tab 165 is in the secondposition T₂, a force F is applied to the tab 165. The force F moves theresilient member 169 to a displaced position R_(D), for example, theresilient member 169 compresses. For example, the resilient member 169includes at least one spring. FIGS. 2A-2D are illustrated to include twosprings 169A, 169B per tab 165.

The top loading cartridge 100 may further include a display 250, asillustrated in FIG. 2B. The display 250 may include a power button 252,a unique identification (UID) button 254, and/or a link button 256 toindicate when the top loading cartridge 100 is properly installed andconnected to the system board. The display 250 may also be illuminatedusing a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LED) 258 and may includeadditional features and/or indicators.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the top loading cartridge 100 may also include akeyed cartridge label 264 that provide a visual identification of thetop loading cartridge 100. The keyed cartridge labels 264 may be formedof molded plastic and each have a distinct, shape, size, and/or color toidentify the type of cartridge and to ensure proper placement and/orlabeling on the top loading cartridge 100. For example, the top label264A may identify the type of top loading cartridge 100 by color oricon. The middle label 264B may be used for branding, such as a productline, logo, or company name. The bottom label 264C may be used toprovide a model number or serial number for the top loading cartridge100.

For example, the top loading cartridge 100 may be inserted asillustrated in FIG. 2A. The lock mechanism 160 is positioned with thehousing 162 in an unlocked position P_(U) and extended from the supportmember 120 such that the lock engagement member 167 is not engaged withthe support member 120. The top loading cartridge 100 is pushed down orinserted as illustrated by arrow 1. After the top loading cartridge 100is inserted, the lock mechanism 160 moves to the locked position P_(L)by rotating the housing 162 as illustrated by arrows 2. To move into thelocked position P_(L), a force F is applied to the tab 165 to move thetab 165 into a second position T₂, which moves the lock engagementmember 167 and compresses or displaces the resilient member 169 intoposition R_(D) (i.e., FIG. 2C). Movement of the tab 165 into the secondposition T₂ enables the lock engagement member 167 to fit into the lockreceptacle 268. Release of the tab 165 moves the tab 165 back to thefirst position T₁ with the resilient member 169 in the equilibriumposition R_(E) (i.e., FIG. 2D). FIG. 3A below illustrates the lockedposition P_(L). In the locked position P_(L), the tray engagement member164 engages with the tray 282 and the lock engagement member 167 engageswith the support member 120, i.e., the lock receptacle 268 and the lockprotrusion 267.

FIG. 2B illustrates the removal of the top loading cartridge 100, wherethe top loading cartridge 100 is, for example, a server cartridge 200.The removal begins with application of the force F to the tab 165 tomove the tab 165 into a second position T₂, which moves the lockengagement member 167 and compresses or displaces the resilient member169 into position R_(D). When the tab 165 is in the second position T₂,the lock mechanism 160 can be moved into an unlocked position P_(U) byrotating the housing 162 as illustrated by arrows 3. After the lockmechanism 160 is in the unlocked position P_(U), the top loadingcartridge 100 may be removed from the tray 282, as illustrated by arrow4. The top loading cartridge 100 further includes board connector 270that connects the top loading cartridge 100 to the system board toenable communication therebetween. Examples of board connectors 270include high speed connectors or Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)express connectors.

FIGS. 3A-5B illustrate examples of the electronic modules that may beused with the top loading cartridge 100. FIGS. 3A-3F illustrateperspective views of the top loading server cartridge 200. Each of theserver cartridges 200 illustrated has the lock mechanism 160 with thehousing 162 in the locked position P_(L). In the locked position P_(L),the housing 162 is connected to the support member 120 and the lockengagement member 167 engages with the support member 120 via the lockreceptacle 268 and the lock protrusion 267. The tab 165 is in a firstposition T₁ and the resilient member 169 is in an equilibrium positionR_(E) or near an equilibrium position R_(E), such that the lockmechanism 160 remains in the locked position P_(L).

Referring to FIG. 3A, the server cartridge 200 is illustrated prior toinstallation into the tray 282. The server cartridge 200 includes a harddrive 232 and a heat sink 234. The hard drive 232 is illustrated asbeing installed into the server cartridge 200 with the server cartridge200 lying on a support wall 226. The hard drive 232 is inserted into thesupport member 120 and positioned against the support wall 226, asillustrated by arrow 5. The handle 233 of the hard drive 232 is rotatedto extend from the hard drive 232 during insertion. After the hard drive232 is inserted into the support member 120 the handle 233 may berotated to lay against the hard drive 232, as illustrated by the motionof arrow 6. Rotation of the handle 233 causes the hard drive 232 to moveinto the proper position in the support member 120, as illustrated byarrows 7. The hard drive 232 is illustrated as including an L-shapedalignment member 331 that aligns the hard drive 232 by allowing the harddrive 232 to be inserted via a first alignment portion 332 when insertedthrough an alignment pin 334 as illustrated by the motion of arrow 5. Asecond alignment portion 333 positions the hard drive 232 as the handle233 is rotated by the motion of arrow 6. The second alignment portion333 guides the hard drive 232 as illustrated by the motion of arrows 7.This positions and locks the hard drive 232 securely in the servercartridge 200.

Referring to FIGS. 3B-3F, examples of other server cartridge 200arrangements are illustrated. In FIG. 3B a server cartridge 200 forstorage is illustrated. The server cartridge 200 includes two harddrives 232. FIG. 3C illustrates a server cartridge 200 having fourprocessors 235 with four heat sinks 234 connected thereto. The servercartridge 200 illustrated in FIG. 3D includes two processors 235 withtwo heat sinks 234 and two memory modules 236. FIGS. 3E-3F illustrateserver cartridges 200 that have the same length as the server cartridges200 of FIGS. 3A-3D, but have a larger width that takes up two cartridgeslots 2W in the tray 282. For example, FIG. 3E illustrates a servercartridge 200 with memory modules 236 that include four sets of fullsize DIMMs and a processor 235 with a heat sink 234. The servercartridge 200 illustrated in FIG. 3F includes two memory modules 236 andtwo processors 235.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate perspective views of the top loading fancartridge 400 of FIG. 1 according to examples. The fan cartridge 400includes the support member 120 with an EMI gasket 228 along the topwall 224, rail member 140 attached to the side walls 222 of the supportmember 120, and lock mechanism 160 hingedly attached to the top wall 224of the support member, as discussed and illustrated above with referenceto FIGS. 1-3B. The size of the fan cartridges 430 are the width of twocartridge slots 2W and length of one cartridge slot 1L. As such, the fancartridge 400 may be wider than the server cartridges 200 illustrated inFIGS. 3A-3D above. The fan cartridge 400 may receive power from a boardconnector 270 connected to the system board or a set of wires andbatteries that communicate with the system board. The portion of thetray 282 that receives the fan module 430 may include air apertures (asillustrated in FIG. 8) that circulate air from the fans 432 and the fanmodules 430 throughout the tray 282.

FIG. 4A illustrates a view of the fans 432 mounted or attached to aninner surface 226B of a support wall 226 of the support member 120. Thefans 432 are attached using fasteners 434, such as screws, but may alsobe attached by other methods. The fan cartridge 400 is illustrated toinclude a plurality of fans 432. Six fans 432 are illustrated in tworows of three fans 432; however, any arrangement and number of fans 432may be attached to the support member 120. Referring to FIG. 4B, a viewof an outer surface 226A of the support wall 226 is illustrated. Thesupport wall 226 includes fan apertures 436 that are formed in the sheetmetal of the support wall 226 to enable the fan module to be mountedtherein.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate perspective views of the top loading networkswitch cartridge 500 of FIG. 1 according to examples. The network switchcartridge 500 includes the support member 120 with an EMI gasket 228along the top wall 224, rail member 140 attached to the side walls 222of the support member 120, and lock mechanism 160 hingedly attached tothe top wall 224 of the support member, as discussed and illustratedabove with reference to FIGS. 1-2B. The size of the network switchcartridges 500 have the width of one cartridge slot 1W and an elongatedlength. For example, the length of the network switch cartridge 500 maybe equivalent to the length of four server cartridges 200 or cartridgeslots 4L.

FIG. 5A illustrates a side view of the network switch cartridge 500 withthe network switch 532 visible. The network switch 532 includes adistant remote switching module (DRM), heat sinks 234, and a memorymodule 236, such as SO-DIMMs. The network switch cartridge 500 connectsto the system board via board connectors 270, such as high speedconnectors or PCI express connectors. The network switch cartridge 500is illustrated with the lock mechanism 160 in the unlocked positionP_(U) with the tab 165 in the first position T₁ and the resilient member169 in the equilibrium position R_(E).

Referring to 5B, a view of the top of the network switch is illustrated.The lock mechanism 160 is illustrated with the housing 162 in the lockedposition P_(L). In the locked position P_(L), the lock engagement member167 is engaged with the support member 120, the tab 165 is in the firstposition T₁, and the resilient member 169 is in the equilibrium positionR_(E). The display 250 is on the top wall 224 with a power button 252, alink button 256, and a thermal detection button 556 that detects properinstallation using, for example an optical sensor.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of a system 600 for modular computingaccording to an example. The system 600 provides a server with sharedchassis, power, cooling, storage, fabric, and management. The system 600includes a top loading cartridge 100, a chassis 280, and a tray 282. Thetop loading cartridge 100 includes a support member 120, a rail member140, and a lock mechanism 160 as illustrated and described above. Thechassis 280 to receive the top loading cartridge 100. The tray 282 toattach to the chassis 280 and align the top loading cartridge 100 in thechassis 280.

FIGS. 7-8 illustrate examples of the system 600 of FIG. 6 according toexamples. Referring to FIG. 7, the system 600 is illustrated to includethe chassis 280 with a tray 282 attached to the chassis 280. The tray282 aligns the top loading cartridge(s) 100 in the chassis 280. Forexample, the chassis 280 and the tray 282 may be formed to receive acombination of the server cartridge 200, the fan cartridge 400, and thenetwork switch cartridge 500; however, the chassis 280 and the tray 282may be formed to receive a single type of cartridge and/or additionalcartridges. FIG. 7 illustrates a partially exploded view of the toploading cartridges 100. The chassis 280 and tray 282 illustrated aredesigned to receive a combination of top loading cartridges 100, such asthe server cartridges 200, the fan cartridges 400, and/or the networkswitch cartridges 500.

As discussed above, the top loading cartridge 100 includes the supportmember 120 to receive an electronic module, such as a server module 230,a fan module 430, and/or a network switch module 530. The rail member140 attaches to the support member 120 to engage with the tray 282 thatreceives the top loading cartridge 100. The lock mechanism 160 to lockthe top loading cartridge 100 in the tray 282. The lock mechanism tomove between a locked position P_(L) and an unlocked position P_(U). Thelock mechanism 160 includes a housing 162, a tray engagement member 164,a tab 165, a lock engagement member 167, and a resilient member 169.

Referring to FIG. 8, the system 600 further includes a system board 870coupled to the chassis 280. The system board 870 to connect with the toploading cartridge 100 to enable communication therebetween. For example,the system board 870 may connect to the server cartridge 200 via a boardconnector 270. The system board 870 may connect to the fan cartridge 400via a board connector 270 or via a communication connector 872 when thefans 432 are powered by wires 832 and batteries 834. The system board870 may connect to the network switch cartridge 500 via the boardconnector 270.

The tray 282 includes tray inserts 852 to form cartridge slots 850 thatreceive the top loading cartridges 100. The tray inserts 852 areinserted into the tray along a tray alignment member 854 formed in thetray 282. The tray inserts 852 may be removable to accommodate toploading cartridges 100 that require, for example, one cartridge slot(i.e., server cartridge 200), two cartridge slots (i.e., servercartridge 200 or fan cartridge 400), or four cartridge slots (i.e.,network switch cartridge 500). The tray 282 is illustrated to includethe guide rails 284 to mate with the rail member 140. The first railportion 242 lies flush with the support member 120. The second railportion 244 is spaced apart 246 from the support member 120 to engagewith the guide rail 284 and reduce vibration of the top loadingcartridge 100. The first and second portions 242, 244 of the rail member140 may be spaced apart 246 using, for example, apertures or voids inthe plastic portion that forms the rail member 140. For example, thefirst rail portion 242 may be formed of a planar member, and the secondrail portion 244 may be formed with an arc or convex surface extendingfrom the side wall 222 or the first rail portion 242.

The tray 282 may further include air apertures 851 formed therein thatcirculate air from the fans 432 and the fan modules 430 throughout thetray 282. The tray 282 is further illustrated to include a trayreceptacle 856 to receive and engage with the tray engagement member164. The tray receptacle 856 may further include a tray protrusion 858that engages with the tray engagement member 164, such as a tray hook166, and secures the top loading cartridge 100 in the tray 282. The trayreceptacle 856 and tray protrusion 858 may also be referred to as acamming surface and the tray engagement member 164 may also be referredto as a cam that engages with the camming surface.

FIG. 8 illustrates sever cartridges 200 installed and a fan cartridge400 partially inserted. The fan cartridge 400 is illustrated with thelock mechanism 160 being used to insert the fan cartridge 400 into thetray 282. The housing 162 is in an unlocked position P_(U) with the tabs165 in a first position T1. After the fan cartridge 400 is inserted intothe tray 282, the lock mechanism 160 rotates between the unlockedposition P_(U) and a locked position P_(L). In the locked positionP_(L), the lock engagement member 167 engages with the support member120 and the tray engagement member 164 engages with the tray 282. Forexample, as illustrated in FIGS. 2C-2D, a force F is applied to the tab165 as the housing 162 is rotated to move the lock engagement member 167into the receptacle 268. When the force F is applied to the tab 165, thetab 165 is in a second position T₂ and the resilient member 169 is in adisplaced or compressed position R_(D). The force F is removed from thetab 165 to enable the lock engagement member 167, such as a lock hook168, to engage with a lock protrusion 267. When the force F is removedthe tab 165 returns to a first position T₁ and the resilient member 169returns to an equilibrium position R_(E).

FIGS. 9-10 illustrate flow charts 900 and 1000 of methods for modularcomputing using a top loading cartridge according to examples. Themethod inserts the top loading cartridge into a tray attached to aserver chassis, in block 920. The top loading cartridge includes asupport member, a rail member, and a lock mechanism. The support memberto receive an electronic module. The rail member attached to the supportmember to engage with a tray that receives the top loading cartridge.The lock mechanism to move between a locked position and an unlockedposition. The lock mechanism includes a housing, a tray engagementmember, a tab, a lock engagement member, and a resilient member. Thehousing to hingedly attach to the support member. The housing rotates tomove the lock mechanism between the locked position and the unlockedposition. The tray engagement member to extend from the housing toengage with a tray attached to a chassis. The tab to connect to thehousing. The tab moveable between a first position and a secondposition. The lock engagement member to extend from the tab to engagewith the support member. The resilient member to connect to the tab. Theresilient member to move between an equilibrium position and a displacedposition based on a force applied to the tab.

The lock mechanism rotates towards a locked position in block 940. Forexample, the housing of the lock mechanism rotates between a lockedposition and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the trayengagement member engages with the tray and the lock engagement memberengages with the support member. In block 960, the force is applied tothe tab to move the tab between a first position and a second position.As the tab is in the second position, with the force applied, the lockmechanism may be moved into the locked position. The tab is releasedafter the lock mechanism moves into the locked position, in block 980.Release of the tab causes the lock engagement member to engage with thesupport member via the lock protrusion, the tray engagement member toengage with the tray via the tray protrusion, and attach the top loadingcartridge to the tray.

FIG. 10 illustrates the flow chart 1000 for removal of the top loadingcartridge. In block 1020, a force is applied to the tab to move the tabbetween the first position and the second position. The lock mechanismis rotated towards the unlocked position in block 1040. The tab isreleased in block 1060 after the lock mechanism moves into the unlockedposition. The top loading cartridge is removed from the tray in block1080, for example, by lifting up the top loading cartridge out of thetray.

Although the flow diagrams of FIGS. 9-10 illustrate specific orders ofexecution, the order of execution may differ from that which isillustrated. For example, the order of execution of the blocks may bescrambled relative to the order shown. Also, the blocks shown insuccession may be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Allsuch variations are within the scope of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure has been described using non-limiting detaileddescriptions of examples thereof and is not intended to limit the scopeof the present disclosure. It should be understood that features and/oroperations described with respect to one example may be used with otherexamples and that not all examples of the present disclosure have all ofthe features and/or operations illustrated in a particular figure ordescribed with respect to one of the examples. Variations of examplesdescribed will occur to persons of the art. Furthermore, the terms“comprise,” “include,” “have” and their conjugates, shall mean, whenused in the present disclosure and/or claims, “including but notnecessarily limited to.”

It is noted that some of the above described examples may includestructure, acts or details of structures and acts that may not beessential to the present disclosure and are intended to be exemplary.Structure and acts described herein are replaceable by equivalents,which perform the same function, even if the structure or acts aredifferent, as known in the art. Therefore, the scope of the presentdisclosure is limited only by the elements and limitations as used inthe claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A top loading cartridge comprising: a supportmember to receive a network switch module; a rail member attached to thesupport member to engage with a tray that receives the top loadingcartridge; and a lock mechanism including: a housing to hingedly attachto the support member; a hooked tray engagement member to extend fromthe housing to engage with a tray attached to a chassis when the housingis rotated from a first position to a second position and the hookedtray engagement member to retract in the housing in the first position;a tab to connect to the housing, the tab to move with a lock engagementmember between a first position and a second position; the lockengagement member to extend from the tab at least partially into areceptacle included in the support member in the first position; and aresilient member to move the tab between an equilibrium position and adisplaced position based on a force applied to the tab.
 2. The toploading cartridge of claim 1, wherein, the first rail portion and thesecond rail portion spaced apart from one another to mate the first railportion with the support member and to engage the second rail portionwith the tray.
 3. The top loading cartridge of claim 1, wherein thenetwork module comprises a distant remote switching module (DRM), heatsink, and a memory module.
 4. The top loading cartridge of claim 1,further comprising a board connector comprising a PCI express connector.5. The top loading cartridge of claim 1, wherein the lock engagementmember is to move with the tab as a unitary member.
 6. The top loadingcartridge of claim 1, wherein the housing rotates between a lockedposition and an unlocked position, in the locked position, the trayengagement member engages with the tray and the lock engagement memberengages with the support member.
 7. The top loading cartridge of claim6, wherein the lock engagement member engages with the support memberwhen the tab is in the first position and the housing is in the lockedposition.
 8. The top loading cartridge of claim 1, wherein the supportmember includes a lock receptacle formed therein to receive the lockengagement member, the receptacle including a lock protrusion extendingtherefrom to engage with the lock engagement member and secure thehousing in a locked position.
 9. A system for modular computing, thesystem comprising: a top loading cartridge including: a support memberto receive a network switch module; a rail member attached to thesupport member to engage with a tray that receives the top loadingcartridge; and a lock mechanism including: a housing to hingedly attachto the support member; a hooked tray engagement member to extend fromthe housing to engage with the tray attached to a chassis when thehousing is rotated from a first position to a second position and thehooked tray engagement member to retract in the housing in the firstposition; a tab to connect to the housing, the tab to move with a lockengagement member between a first position and a second position; thelock engagement member to extend from the tab at least partially into areceptacle included in the support member when the hooked trayengagement member is engaged with the tray; and a resilient member tomove the tab between an equilibrium position and a displaced positionbased on a force applied to the tab.
 10. The system of claim 9, furthercomprising a system board coupled to the chassis, the system board toconnect with the top loading cartridge to enable communicationtherebetween.
 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the tray furthercomprises a guide rail to mate with the rail member, the rail memberincludes a first rail portion and a second rail portion, the first railportion to lie flush with the support member, the second rail portionspaced apart from the support member to engage with the guide rail. 12.The system of claim 9, wherein the support member comprises: two sidewalls spaced apart from one another; a top wall to traverse the two sidewalls; and a support wall to extend between the two side walls toreceive the network switch module.
 13. The system of claim 9, whereinthe lock mechanism rotates between a locked position and an unlockedposition, in the locked position the lock engagement member engages withthe support member and the hooked tray engagement member engages withthe tray.
 14. The system of claim 9, wherein the tray further comprisesa tray receptacle formed therein, the hooked tray receptacle to receivethe tray engagement member, the tray receptacle including a hooked trayprotrusion extending therefrom to engage with the tray engagement memberand to secure the top loading cartridge therein.
 15. The system of claim9, further comprising a top loading fan cartridge and a top loadingserver cartridge, the tray to align the top loading fan cartridge andthe top loading server cartridge, the chassis to receive the top loadingfan cartridge and the top loading server cartridge.
 16. A system formodular computing, the system comprising: a top loading cartridgeincluding: a support member to receive a network switch module; a railmember attached to the support member to engage with a tray thatreceives the top loading cartridge; and a lock mechanism including: ahousing to hingedly attach to the support member; a hooked trayengagement member to extend from the housing to engage with the traywith the tray attached to a chassis when the housing is rotated from afirst position to a second position and the a hooked tray engagementmember to retract in the housing in the first position; a tab to connectto the housing, the tab to move with a lock engagement member between afirst position and a second position; the lock engagement member toextend from the tab at least partially into a receptacle included in thesupport member when the hooked tray engagement member is engaged withthe tray; and a resilient member to move the tab between an equilibriumposition and a displaced position based on a force applied to the tab.17. The top loading cartridge of claim 1, wherein the rail memberincludes a first rail portion and a second rail portion that is convexand extending outwardly from the first rail portion.
 18. The system ofclaim 11, wherein the rail member includes a first rail portion and asecond rail portion that is convex and extending outwardly from thefirst rail portion.
 19. The system for modular computing of claim 16,wherein the rail member includes a first rail portion and a second railportion that is convex and extending outwardly from the first railportion.